I have had over three decades of regularly practising and teaching Martial Arts.
Master Chong Yoon Rhee was my Master Instructor in Taekwon-Do.
It was in the way that he conducted himself and the lessons he taught not only about fighting skills but life’s positive attributes of courtesy, integrity, honesty, perseverance, cultivating indomitable spirit (fighting spirit).
These real tangible qualities and life skills lead to me follow his path in the Martial Arts as a life discipline and complete exercise regime that produces real results physically, mentally and spiritually.
Master Chong Yoon was an Instructor in the Korean Army and taught the American troops in Vietnam hand to hand combat.
I was one of the young Maroubra Beach surfers that were his first students in Australia. We took great pride in having such a knowledgeable martial artist in our midst and he enjoyed the fact that we were already fit for action, had good balancing skills and we were thirsty for his teachings. I had quite a few instructors in Judo and Kung fu before Master Chong Yoon and have had many great instructors teach me in many different disciplines since.
Influences
One of the most inspirational influences would have to have been Mick Spinks from the Double Dragon. When I am in Sydney, Mick and his crew at the Double Dragon always make me feel most welcome on the mat.
After receiving my Australian Tae Kwon-Do Instructors Certificate in 1978 I left Sydney to teach T.K.D. in Western N.S.W. and work in the Water Drilling, mineral exploration and Opal Mining Industries.
I grew up in Botany, an industrial suburb of Sydney that had more than its fair share of gangsters and criminals, but it was nothing compared to the colourful characters that where attracted in the 70’s and 80’s to the Western Mining fields.
These were tough, crazy men that loved to drink, knuckle and play with guns and knives. Lessons you don’t find in a dojo. It was in this environment that I quickly come to the conclusion that to be a Black Belt in any style would not necessarily mean a good street fighter would not stomp all over them. In particular, my original style Tae Kwon-Do, gave me very few options at close quarter fighting and most street fighting is up close and dirty.
Sun Tzu
Which lead me to follow Sun Tzu’s teachings and to become multi skilled in all aspects of fighting to avoid the fighting. A fellow miner introduced me to Barry Pang from Melbourne, a Master in Wing Chun. He started my study of that system of close quarter centre line, sticky hand fighting.
I trained with a local Aikido Master and he taught me the basics in that flowing joint locking system that I weave through our system of Sun Tzu Do. Mick Spinks introduced me to his boxing and kickboxing system, and his gym has been a great source of knowledge in the ground fighting art of Brazilian Jui Jitsu.
Attitude
Good Martial Arts skills are a great asset but rely entirely on a physical response. If a confrontation goes hostile and violent there are no winners. Even if you come out on top you can end in serious trouble with the law or worse. Which lead me to study the dynamics of conflict, to research psychology that may help you achieve a non-violent outcome.
Psychology that may help you de-escalate a hostile confrontation and if unavoidable, tactics and no nonsense self defence techniques that will help you set up your best shot and chance of survival.
I weave these psychological tools throughout the regular classes and run special workshops in Streetwise Personal Protection that I have taught to social workers, school children, disadvantaged youth, teachers and security workers with great results.
Glenn Puckeridge